Thunder 117-95 Mavericks (May 7, 2024) Game Recap

OKLAHOMA CITY — — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was his typical self and Luka Doncic wasn’t.

Gilgeous-Alexander had 29 factors, 9 rebounds and 9 assists to assist the top-seeded Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks 117-95 on Tuesday night time in Recreation 1 of their Western Convention semifinal sequence.

Gilgeous-Alexander made 8 of 19 subject targets and 11 of 13 free throws earlier than popping out of the sport with 3:26 remaining and the Thunder main 111-89.

Doncic, an MVP finalist like Gilgeous-Alexander, scored 19 factors on 6-for-19 capturing and had 5 turnovers. He bristled when requested about his capturing.

“Who cares,” he mentioned. “We misplaced. We simply bought to maneuver onto the following one. We’ve bought to be higher.”

Lu Dort bought many of the work guarding Doncic, with rookie Cason Wallace getting among the motion and 7-foot-1 heart Holmgren pestering him close to the rim.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault mentioned Dort, one of many league’s finest perimeter defenders did his job.

“He’s only a warrior,” Daigneault mentioned. “Brings the juice each single night time. Doncic is a very exhausting matchup and an important participant that didn’t have his finest pitch tonight. He’s going to play higher than this. Lu made it exhausting on him. I assumed our staff made it exhausting on him.”

Holmgren added 19 factors, seven rebounds and three blocks. Jalen Williams struggled together with his shot for 3 quarters however scored 10 of his 18 factors within the fourth to assist Oklahoma Metropolis stay unbeaten within the playoffs.

Kyrie Irving scored 20 factors and Daniel Gafford added 16 factors, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks for the fifth-seeded Mavericks.

Recreation 2 shall be Thursday night time in Oklahoma Metropolis. Daigneault is conscious that the Mavericks stole dwelling court docket from the Los Angeles Clippers in Recreation 2 of their first-round sequence. Dallas went on to win that sequence 4-2.

“I feel we will anticipate them to play higher than they did tonight,” Daigneault mentioned. “The very last thing we’re going to do is underestimate this opponent.”

The Thunder held the Mavericks to 39.3% capturing and received huge, regardless of being outrebounded 52-39.

Gilgeous-Alexander rested briefly firstly of the second quarter earlier than subbing in on the 8:20 mark. He scored 11 factors within the interval to assist the Thunder take a 62-53 lead on the break. He scored 19 factors within the first half, whereas reserve Aaron Wiggins scored 12 of his 16 factors earlier than the break.

Dallas opened the second half on a run, and a 3-pointer by Irving minimize Oklahoma Metropolis’s result in 66-65 and compelled the Thunder to name a timeout.

Isaiah Joe and Dort hit 3-pointers when play resumed, then Dort ripped Doncic, resulting in a dunk by Williams that put the Thunder up 74-67. Gilgeous-Alexander’s 3-pointer with Doncic in his face put Oklahoma Metropolis up 80-69. Irving hit a 3-pointer because the third quarter expired, however the Thunder nonetheless led 89-79.

Williams scored eight straight factors for the Thunder in a run that put Oklahoma Metropolis forward 102-87, and the Thunder managed the sport from there.

The Thunder set an Oklahoma Metropolis playoff document with 29 assists.

“I assumed we bought a very good groove going after type of a uneven begin,” Daigneault mentioned. “Actually clever assaults. We had a very good mix of aggression and likewise taking what the protection gave us, conserving them on their heels, conserving the ball forward of them. They’re actually good whenever you decelerate and also you permit them to type of scheme and calibrate.”

The Mavericks might want to regroup.

“They’re an important staff,” Doncic mentioned. “Nice defensive staff, nice offensive staff. So it’s not going to be simple in any respect. We’ve bought to superb basketball and targeted basketball for 48 minutes.”

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